First new Overground trains come into service

The first new London Overground train (class 378) entered service this morning.

Transport for London advise that it is scheduled to operate as follows this week and next week, Mondays - Fridays only  
06.50 Clapham Jct. - Stratford 08.09 Stratford - Richmond 09.22
Richmond - Stratford 10.37
Stratford - Richmond 11.57
Richmond - Stratford 13.07
Stratford - Richmond14.27
Richmond - Stratford 15.37
Stratford - Richmond 17.36  
Richmond - Willesden Jct.

Lorries using residential streets

Residents have picked up on the fact tipper trucks are using our residential streets where they should be using main roads.

Hackney's Head of Streetscene has agreed to investigate and step up enforcement.

De Beauviour Square wins Green Flag award

Our very own De Beauvoir Square has been awarded the prestigious Green Flag award.

The Green Flag Awards are the national standard for parks and green spaces in England and Wales. It recognises the best green spaces in the country and encourages a high standard of environmental standards, creating a benchmark of excellence.

In 2006 Hackney had two awards for parks; it now has ten - demonstrating how far the Council has come in making green spaces places we all want to use.

Cycle polo & beach volleyball in De Beauvoir

Anyone who spent some time at the Shoreditch Park Festival this weekend will know how much local people value their parks and open spaces in Hackney. But did you know De Beauvoir has both cycle polo and beach volleyball teams playing right on its doorsterp?

Bang in the middle of De Beauvoir, Ufton Road's sports pitch hosts cycle polo games 3 nights a week. Roxy Erickson, director of the European Hard Court Bike Polo Championships even plays here and has challenged local councillors to have a go.

Our own Shoreditch Park has a beach volleyball sand court, with teams playing each and every day. Thanks to Hackney Council, J Clubb aggregates, the English & London Volleyball Associations, this is London's first public sand court.

For more info, go to www.londonbeachvolleyball.org/index.php?view=venueevents&id=4%3Ashoreditch-park&option=com_eventlist&Itemid=142 and www.ehbpc.org/

World's oldest man dies peacefully

Hackney man, Henry Allingham, died in his sleep last night at 3.10am in a care home near Brighton. He was born in Clapton in 1896 and was one of the last surviving British veterans of the First World War.

On June 20 the Guinness World Records confirmed Mr Allingham, who celebrated his 113th birthday on June 6, had become the world's oldest man after the previous record holder, Tomoji Tanabe of Japan, died also at the age of 113.

Henry Allingham once attributed his longevity to "cigarettes, whisky and wild, wild women".

Asked his secret to long life he said: "I don't know if there is a secret, but keeping within your capacity is vital.

"I've had two major breakdowns, one during the war and one after but both when I was trying to do the work of three men.

"The trick is to look after yourself and always know your limitations."

Party in the park beats the rain

This year's Party in the Park has been yet another triumph. The occasional rain was unable to dampen the atmosphere for the crowds of local people who came along to make the 2009 party another great day out.

Helping to make the event so much fun was a bouncy castle, real life ambulance and fire engine, along with everything from tree-side drumming lessons to face painting and t-shirt designing.

The Speaker of Hackney Council came along to draw numbers for the raffle - kindly supported by local businesses.

De Beauvoir's Safer Neighbourhood Police Team were also out in force - some even having their faces painted along with local kids.

Huge praise has to go to the DBA volunteers for their hours of organisation that have once again paid off brilliantly.

[Pictured: Jenice from De Beauvoir's local Safer Neighbourhood Police Team]